The 2014 Breeders' Cup World Championships ended on Saturday with 9 races all with year-end championship implications. A crowd of 61,114 came out to Santa Anita under less than ideal conditions intially. Overnight rains downgraded the main track and turf course to "good", with temperatures in the mid 60's. Cloud cover varied through the day but enough sunlight and wind dried the main track to fast in time for the first race and the turf course to firm for the Mile.
Full results with several photos are available for each race at the link below the pay-off chart.
The $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) features the best older horses going 1 1/4 miles on the main track. Shared Belief, undefeated in 7 starts including the Awesome Again (G1) last out, was sent off as the 5-2 favorite in the field of 14 over 4-1 California Chrome and 9-2 Tonalist. 6-1 Bayern was loose on the lead through fractions of 23.12, 46.44, and 1:10.22 while stalked by 18-1 Toast of New York and California Chrome. After a mile in 1:34.16, Toast of New York closed the gap but Bayern held him off by a nose in 1:59.88. It was a neck back to California Chrome third. There was a stewards' inquiry regarding bumping at the start but the result stood.
Winning trainer Bob Baffert said, "Just put him on the lead. He's very sharp. I put the blinkers back on and he's turned into a different horse. Bayern ran fast today. He was running faster because the ground was getting deeper. I wasn't worried about the fractions, They were solid. They're always solid in a race like this." Jockey Martin Garcia added, "It's an amazing feeling, a dream come true. To compete in these races, especially this day, is a big thing for everyone. In this situation, you don't take away when a horse likes to run on the lead. We let him run, and if anything happens, you make adjustments. In this race, he broke really good and I took advantage."
The Breeders' Cup Classic
Purse: $5,000,000 Distance: 1 1/4 miles
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
7 Bayern Garcia 14.20 8.00 5.20
9 Toast of New York Spencer 18.00 4.80
13 California Chrome Espinoza 4.80
Winning Time: 1:59.88
$1 Exacta 7-9 124.90
$1 Trifecta 7-9-13 1,043.60
$1 Superfecta 7-9-13-6 3,817.40
$1 Super High Five 7-9-13-6-11 8,678.20
$2 Pick Six 6-7-12-13-14-7(5 correct)114,472.00
The $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) is for older horses going 1 mile on the turf. Pix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1) runner-up Toronado was sent off as the 2-1 favorite in the full field of 14 over 9-2 Obviously and 7-1 Mustajeeb. Obviously set fractions of 21.95, 45.16, and 1:08.82 while stalked by Toronado. Obviously opened a 4 length lead in midstretch through 7/8 in 1:20.77 before tiring. 30-1 Karakontie, 10th early, came through to gain the lead at the 1/16 pole and held off late-running 10-1 Anodin by 1 length to win in 1:32.88. It was another length back to 21-1 Trade Storm third while Toronado checked in 8th.
Trainer Jonathan Pease said, "It's a great result. He was a brilliant 2-year-old and was very good this spring. We gave him a break and he showed a great turn of foot today."Jockey Stephane Pasquier added, "I had a bad draw on the outside but got a good position. It is easier when you are on the best horse in the race and he gave me everything and quickened very well. Emotionally, this is the biggest win of my career, to win a Breeders' Cup race here in America. The trainer didn't give me any instructions. I just rode him like the quality horse he is. A mile is his distance."
The $1.5 million Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) is for top older sprinters going 6 furlongs. Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G1) winner Rich Tapestry was sent off as the 5-2 favorite in the field of 14 over defending champion Secret Circle a 9-2 and Palace at 7-1. 13-1 Fast Anna set the early pace of 21.19 and 43.34 while stalked by 19-1 Work All Week. At the 3/16 pole Work All Week gained the lead through 5/8 in 55.38 and held off Secret Circle by 1/2 a length in 1:08.28. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to 8-1 Private Zone third while Rich Tapestry was last.
Winning jockey Florent Geroux said, "To compete in these races and win on the first try is unbelievable. Especially with a horse from home: Illinois-bred and for Roger Breuggemann. A great trainer nobody knows because he flies under the radar and improves horses a lot. Today was the real test to see if he can go with the best sprinters in the country, and he just did it. It's funny because when he made the lead he really put the breaks on, and I had to say ‘No, don't stop!' and get him going again and he gave me more." Trainer Roger Brueggemann added, "I thought he would move up in class, I really did but you never know."
The Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint
Purse: $1,500,000 Distance: 6 furlongs
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
13 Work All Week Geroux 40.20 18.40 11.00
4 Secret Circle Garcia 6.40 4.60
5 Private Zone Pedroza 5.80
Winning Time: 1:08.28
$1 Exacta 13-4 122.70
$1 Trifecta 13-4-5 1,064.70
$1 Superfecta 13-4-5-14 19,848.60
The $3 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) features older horses going 1 1/2 miles on the turf. After defending champion Magician was scratched, Juddmonte International (G1) third place finisher Telescope was the 8-5 favorite over 7-2 Flintshire and 6-1 Main Sequence. 17-1 Imagining, 9-1 Hardest Core, and 78-1 longest shot Starspangled Heat contested the early pace of 25.00, 47.76, 1:11.15, and 1:36.10. Entering the lane for the final time, Hardest Core held the lead through 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.61 before tiring. Flintshire gained the front mid-stretch but Main Sequence, 7th early, outfinished him to win by 1/2 a length in 2:24.91. It was another 1 1/4 length back to 19-1 Twilight Eclipse third, while favorite Telescope checked in fourth.
Winning trainer Graham Motion said, "He did everything so well and so easily today. He broke really well and went on from there and did everything great. It really was a team effort and the horse has been spectacular. He's really suited to American racing and he just gets better and better. I hadn't even thought about Horse of the Year now, but I think he should be. Horses don't win four Grade 1s in a row like that. How many horses can do that? He has to be one of the best I've trained." Jockey John Velazquez added, "(Regular rider) Rajiv (Maragh, who is injured) told me all about the horse and how to ride him. He told me everything good about the horse and (Main Sequence) did exactly what he said. It was the perfect trip."
The $2 million Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) features 2-year-old colts and geldings going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. Breeders' Futurity (G1) winner Carpe Diem was the 9-5 favorite in the field of 11 over 5-2 Daredevil and 6-1 Upstart. 65-1 Blue Dancer and 10-1 Souper Colossal dueled on the lead through fractions of 22.37, 45.66, and 1:10.17. On the far turn both tired from the speed battle, as 14-1 Texas Red swept to the front 5 wide. Kept to task by Kent Desormeaux, Texas Red drew off to a 6 1/2 length win over Carpe Diem in 1:41.92. It was a nose back to Upstart third.
Winning trainer Keith Desormeaux said, "The first thing I thought when he was drawing away was ‘How good is American Pharoah? (scratched due to injury)' You never want to see a defection, but it had to help." Jockey Kent Desormeaux added, "I hadn't even asked him yet and the others started coming back to me at the quarter-pole, so that made it real easy. You know, we were real poor when I was growing up but we always had horses. I don't know how my family ever fed them, but my education in horses came all together today with this win."
The Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile
Purse: $2,000,000 Distance: 1 1/16 miles
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
7 Texas Red Desormeaux 29.80 9.80 5.60
9 Carpe Diem Velazquez 3.80 2.80
13 Upstart Ortiz 3.60
Winning Time: 1:41.91
$2 Exacta 7-9 50.30
$2 Trifecta 7-9-13 335.70
$2 Superfecta 7-9-13-4 4,016.10
The $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) features older horses sprinting about 6 1/2 furlongs on the downhill turf. Woodford (G3) winner No Nay Never was sent off as the 7-2 favorite in the field of 14 over 11-2 Ambitious Brew and 6-1 Reneesgotzip. Reneesgotzip opened up a 3 1/2 length lead down the chute through an opening quarter in 21.69 and a half in 43.67. In the straight, Reneesgotzip continued to lead through 3/4 in 1:06.70 but tired. 7-1 Bobby's Kitten, last early, rallied 6 wide to win by 1/2 a length over No Nay Never in 1:12.73. It was a nose back to 13-1 Undrafted third.
Winning jockey Joel Rosario said, "I was kind of worried with my position in the beginning. There was a lot of speed in the race, but I thought I could have been closer. I had to take a hold and was further back than I wanted to be. I thought I had no shot but he gave me a huge turn of foot." Trainer Chad Brown added, "I was a little worried early because he got shuffled far back, but Joel rode him perfect. He knows the hill so well and that's one of the big reasons we put him on this horse. We had this race in mind and it was a good decision. He's terrific. He fits the horse perfect. This makes up a little bit for the disappointment of this horse's race in the Juvenile Turf last year."
The Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint
Purse: $1,000,000 Distance: 6 1/2 furlongs turf
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
6 Bobby's Kitten Rosario 16.40 8.00 6.20
14 No Nay Never Dettori 6.60 4.80
11 Undrafted Velazquez 7.60
Winning Time: 1:12.73
$1 Exacta 6-14 54.10
$1 Trifecta 6-14-11 647.00
$1 Superfecta 6-14-11-15 9,530.90
The $1 million DraftKings Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) features older fillies and mares sprinting 7 furlongs on the main track. Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G3) winner Judy the Beauty was sent off as the 3-1 favorite in the field of 10 over 7-2 Stonetastic and 9-2 Artemis Agrotera. Stonetastic led the field exiting the chute and down the backstretch through fractions of 22.51 and 44.87 while stalked by 30-1 Southern Honey. At the top of the lane Judy the Beauty gained the lead through 3/4 in 1:09.35, and held off late-running 23-1 Better Lucky by a head in 1:21.92. It was another 3 1/2 lengths back to 39-1 longest shot Thank You Marylou third.
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Winning owner-trainer Wesley Ward said, "She just digs down deep in her soul. That was amazing. Very few horses run with as much heart as she does. She just has a desire to win. She will head back to Kentucky. I had thought about retiring her, but there is no doubt that Keeneland is absolutely her favorite track. I just want to give her another chance to win at her home track. I'm just elated with this whole weekend." Jockey Mike Smith added, "Absolutely dynamite. I couldn't have asked for a better trip. Almost every step of it, except for almost getting caught. She broke extremely well which at times can be very crucial for her because sometimes she gets away really bad. I was happy about that; one of the best she's ever left the gate. We saw that work at Keeneland. We knew she was ready."
The DraftKings Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint
The $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) features older fillies and mares going 1 1/4 miles on the turf. Defending champion Dank was sent off as the 2-1 favorite ff her 5th place finish in the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1), over 9-2 Stephanie's Kitten and 11-2 Dayatthespa. Dayattthespa went to the lead down the hill and set fractions of 23.89, 48.37, 1:13.12, and 1:36.96 while stalked by 27-1 Parranda. In the stretch, Dayatthespa opened up a 2 length lead and easily held off Stephanie's Kitten by 1 1/4 lengths in 2:00.12. It was another 1/2 length to Just the Judge third, and a head back to Dank fourth.
Winning jockey Javier Castellano said, "I thought she could get the distance if we could get away with a slow pace. I was hoping we could go 24, 48, 1:13, and that's exactly what we did. When we got the three-quarters in 1:13 I thought to myself, ‘We're going to steal this thing,' and we did." Trainer Chad Brown added, "Javier did an awesome job. He was able to set an easy pace. We knew that if she got a little tired, (stablemate) Stephanie's Kitten would be coming, so we had it covered either way. I just wish there could be two winners. Both mares ran terrific."
The Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf
Purse: $2,000,000 Distance: 1 1/4 miles turf
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
4 Dayatthespa Castellano 13.00 6.60 4.60
10 Stephanie's Kitten Velazquez 5.20 3.80
2 Just the Judge Spencer 4.60
Winning Time: 2:00.12
$1 Exacta 4-10 27.10
$1 Trifecta 4-10-2 182.80
$1 Superfecta 4-10-2-3 618.70
Kicking off the Championship races on Saturday was the $2 million 14 Hands Winery Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), featuring the best 2-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. Chandelier Stakes (G1) winner Angela Renee was sent off as the 3-1 favorite over 4-1 Conquest Eclipse and 9-2 Puca. Jockey Victor Espinoza sent 61-1 longest shot Take Charge Brandi to the lead and she set fractions of 22.22, 45.99, and 1:10.07 while stalked by 52-1 Hennythelovepenny. In the stretch, 6-1 Top Decile attempted to close but Take Charge Brandi held her off for the 1/2 length upset win in 1:41.95. It was another 1/2 length back to 15-1 Wonder Gal third, while Angela Renee checked in 10th.
Winning jockey Victor Espinoza said, "Wayne (trainer Lukas) just told me to let her run and I did that. I hit her once and she didn't seem to like it, so I didn't hit her anymore and I just let her do her thing." Trainer D. Wayne Lukas added, "I thought she had a great week and today I thought we could be a factor – not that we would win it, but that we would do very swell. Dr. Bill Caton, who saved (son) Jeff's life, bet her heavy – he won't be able to carry it out in a shopping bag. This is the most exciting one (win) yet."
The 14 Hands Winery Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies
Purse: $2,000,000 Distance: 1 1/16 miles
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
6 Take Charge Brandi Espinoza 125.40 51.40 24.80
11 Top Decile Napravnik 7.20 5.40
10 Wonder Gal Smith 9.40
Winning Time: 1:41.95
$1 Exacta 6-11 778.60
$1 Trifecta 6-11-10 11,309.00
$1 Superfecta 6-11-10-1 97,620.00
Breeders' Cup Saturday Results - There were 9 races Saturday highlighted by the $5 million Classic where American Pharoah was an impressive winner in his final start before retiring to stud. Also on the card, Found won the Turf, Nyquist won the Juvenile, and Tepin won the Mile. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 9 races here. Get more photos and comments for each race here.
Breeders' Cup Friday Results - There were 4 races Friday highlighted by the Distaff where Stopchargingmaria won by a neck over Stellar Wind and the Dirt Mile won by Liam's Map. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 4 races here.
Thursday Breeders' Cup Photos - Photos and comments for 38 horses out on Thursday morning at Keeneland on both the main and training tracks, including American Pharoah. Beholder was also out, but was found to have bled when scoped and is scratched from the Classic.
Wednesday Breeders' Cup Photos - Photos and comments for 46 horses out on a very rainy Wednesday morning at Keeneland on both the main and training tracks, including Keen Ice, Frosted, and Golden Horn. No American Pharoah yet, hopefully he comes out tomorrow.
2015 Breeders' Cup Entries - Check out the entries, post postitions, and morning line odds for the 13 Breeders' Cup World Championship races to be held at Keeneland on October 30 and 31.
Tuesday Breeders' Cup Photos - Photos and comments for 31 horses out on a rainy Tuesday morning at Keeneland including Stephanie's Kitten, Grand Arch, and Private Zone.
Monday Breeders' Cup Photos - Photos and comments for 28 horses out Monday morning at Keeneland including Rachel's Valentina and a timed work by Beholder.
Sunday Breeders' Cup Photos - Photos and comments for 10 horses out Sunday morning at Keeneland including Liam's Map and Lea
Breeders' Cup Weather - Check out the latest weather forecasts for the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland
Review: Crushing the Cup 2015 - by Jim Mazur and Peter Mallett. An invaluable tool for trying to unlock the mysteries of handicapping the Breeders' Cup races at Keeneland updated for 2015.
2014 Breeders' Cup Saturday Results - The feature race was the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic won by Bayern. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 9 races here.
2014 Breeders' Cup Friday Results - Friday was headlined by the $2 million Ladies Classic won by Untapable. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 4 races here.
Breeders' Cup History - Historical info, past results, and photos from previous runnings
The Breeders' Cup Championship Day - The official page for the Breeders' Cup championship races. Just about anything you need to know about it: results, video clips, and race calls for past years, and eventually nominations, entries, and results.
Free Prep Replays - for major prep races in the Breeders' Cup Challenge. The ones with camera logos have video available.
Blazing Silks, Breeders' Cup Edition- an interactive social network game that allows horse racing fans and social gamers to train and care for Thoroughbred horses.
TV Schedule - for all the preps and other programming leading up to the big day
Breeders' Cup Postcards - Breeders' Cup theme virtual postcards to send your friends including many past winners
Breeders' Cup Supplemental Entries - The old official policy on supplemental entries plus all the supplemental entries and how they fared, mostly it was a losing proposition. There are no more supplements now, only late nominations making it impossible to track now.